Matrix-making machine



(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 1.

O. MERGENTI-IALER.

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

No. 304,272. v Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

il i a (No Model.) 4 She etsSheet 2/ O. MERGENTHALER.

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE. No. 304,272. Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

fifillllllllllllllfilllll? Fun. I

i rllll A imi lli WWW 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

0. MEBGE NTHALER. MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

No. 304,272. Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

Nv PETERS Pholmmhagripher. wnhin mu, By I;

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

O. MERGENTHALER. L

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

No. 304,272. Patented Aug. 26, 1884.

fli lllll A ZZZst, I vcnlbr W W424 W mum" 7% MW UNITE STATES ArnNrrrrcn.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MATRIX-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,272, dated August26, 1884.

Application filed March 23, 1883. Renewed May 31. 1884, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTMAR MERGENTHA- LER, of Baltimore, in the State ofMaryland, have invented certain Improvements in Matrix-Making Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of powerdriven machines which arecontrolled in their action by a series of finger-keys for the purpose ofindenting or printing letters or characters in or upon a continuousstrip of papiermach, or like material.

The invention consists in various ,mechanisms and combinations ofmechanisms, herein after described in detail, but more particularly inthe combination of a rotary typewheel having fixed peripheral letters orcharacters thereon,with a pressure device or mechanism to force and holdthe paper against the face of the type, the pressure device arranged tomove,when in action, in apath concentric with that of the type; and in aparticular form of such device, consisting in rods arranged to move bothendwise and radially in a cylinder, at the end of which the type wheelis located.

It also consists in a pressure-wheel of peculiar construction to forcethe extended rods or other pressure devices toward the type,to causetheir action upon the intermediate strip which is to be indented orprinted.

It'also consists in a pivoted dog or-pressurepiece introduced betweenthe sliding rod and pressure-wheel, for the purpose of imparting motionfrom one to the other.

It also consists in a series of loose rings encircling the type-wheeladjacent to the type, for the purpose of forcing the paper or matrixstrip therefrom after the indentation or impression has been completed.

It also consists in a spring-guide of peculiar form, arranged to holdthe stripin the proper position in relation to the type, and in meansfor relieving the strip automatically from the pressure of said deviceprevious to its being fed or moved forward.

It also consists in various additional fea-.

tures hereinafter explained.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top planview of my improved machine, the central portion of the key-board andcylinder being removed to reduce the size of the figure. Fig. 2represents a longitudinal vertical section of the machine on the line 00m, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the machine on the line 1 11Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the form and relative arrangementof the various parts which have a direct cooperation to effect theprinting action. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 2 z. cam-wheelenlarged. Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, a sectional and a perspectiveview of the spring-guide for the paper strip, Fig. 7 showing also a typeand the extremity of a sliding rod.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame or bed-plate of themachine, and B a horizontal rotary longitudinally-grooved cylindermounted in suitable bearings above the bed-plate A, and provided at oneend with a pulley, c, or equivalent device, by which it may receivemotion from a motor or driving mechanism of any suitable character.

0 represents a series of sliding rods, which serve as pressure devicesto apply the paper against the face of the type, mounted independentlyin the grooves of the'cylinder, and arranged to be moved endwisetherein, so as to protrude beyond the end of the cylinder, and alsoarranged to have a slight radial movement at their outer ends, theslides being either made elastic or operated by springs c, as shown, insuch manner that, while protruding, their outer ends may be movedslightly inward toward the center, and that, when released, they willimmediately spring outward to their original positions. At their innerends these rods are provided each with a stud or projection, a, theseries of studs standing, when drawn backward into the cylinder, in aspiral line around the latter, as shown in Fig. 1.

D represents a series of finger-keys designed to effect the endwisemovement of the slides. These keys are arranged in a bank or series, innumber corresponding to the number of slides in the cylinder. They aremounted upon horizontal pivots, and have their rear ends provided withbeveled or laterally-inclined surfaces I), located in line with eachother immediately beneath the cylinder, in such position that, whenelevated, they will 7 Fig. 6 is a View of a portion of the encounter theprojecting studs upon the respective slides, each key acting always inconnection with the same slide. Springs 0, acting beneath the forwardends of the keys, hold their rear ends normally in a depressed positionout of the path of the projections a, in which position of the parts thecylinder and rod are free to rotate without being affected by the keys.When, however, the operator depresses the forward end of either key, itsrear end is elevated in such manner that, as the stud of thecorresponding slide is advanced by the rotation of the cylinder, the endof the stud will encounter the beveled endof the key and be acted uponthereby in such manner that the slide will move forward in the cylinderand project its end beyond the same, this projection of the slideoccurring without interrupting the rotary motion of the cylinder. Itwill be observed that the series of keys are arranged in the same linelongitudimachine.

nallybelow the cylinder, and that, consequently, the projection of eachslide occurs while it is in its lowermost position, or, in other words,at the under side of the cylinder, and also that the arrangement causesthe various slides to be projected, successively, one after another. Thereturn of the slides endwise to the cylinder is effected by'means of afixed plate, 0, having a beveled or inclined edge, (I, as clearlyrepresented in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, against which the projecting ends ofthe slides act as they are advanced by the cylinder.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the depression of a particularfinger-key causes a particular slide to be thrust outward beyond the endof the cylinder when 011 the under side, and that by means of thebeveled plate the slide is immediately returned to the cylinderpreparatory to the projection of the next slide, and so on, successivelyand continuously, the slides being projected, successively, one at atime, although a number of keys may be depressed at the same time.

Devices are shown in the drawings for the purpose of locking the keysautomatically in an operative position, to the end that the keys whichhave been depressed may be locked in an operative position until thecorresponding letters are printed, enabling the operator in the meantimeto operate other keys. These devices constitute no part of the presentinvention, but will be made the subject-matter ofa separate patent,application therefor having been filed on the 16th day of December,1878.

It is manifest that the order in which the letters succeed each other onthe wheel, and the respective position of the various keys orfinger-pieces in the bank or key-board. maybe such as is found mostconvenient and best calculated to permit the rapid operation of the Iffound desirable, any particular letter or character may be used at twoor more points:in the type-wheel, in connection with a correspondingslide, to increase the printing speed of the machine.

At or within the cylinder, B, concentric therewith, I mount a type-wheelor series of type-wheels, H, arranged to rotate in unison therewith, andeach having upon the periphery fixed letters or type arranged incircumferential lines, and also in line with the respective slides ofthe cylinder, so that each slide, upon being projected beyond the end ofthe cylinder,wi1l extend directly over or opposite a corresponding typein the type-wheel, for the purpose of forcing the paper thereon, ashereinafter explained.

There may be one or more of the series of type differing in form, style,or size, in order to adapt the machine for printing in different styles.Each series will contain a complete alphabet and such additionalcharacters as are ordinarily employed in connection therewith, and willbe arranged in a circumferential line of the wheel. In the accompanyingdrawings I have, for the sake of convenience, illustrated four series orlines of type. In order that one or another of these series may bebrought into action at will, the type-wheel is made movable upon itsaxis in the direction of the length of the cylinder, so that one oranother of the series of type may be brought into line to cooperatewiththe protruding ends of the slides. The strip of material which is to beprinted or indented is passed beneath the typewhecl in such positionthat the protruding slides will be extended beneath the strip inposition for the strip to be acted upon by the slides from beneath andthrust upward thereby against the corresponding type. For the purpose ofthus forcing upward the extended slides, I

mount beneath the type-wheel, upon a fixed pivot, a dog or p'resser-bar,I, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the free end of this dog beingin such position that each slide is projected directly above it. Beneaththis dog I mount a large rotary presser or feed wheel, J, having at itsperiphery a series of teeth, 6, to act upon the dog I, and force thesame upward against the under side of the extended slide, therebyforcing the slide inward toward the center, and causing it to press thepaper strip against the corresponding type, as plainlyrepresentedinFigs. 3 and 4.

The general action is as follows: The strip being passed beneath thetype-wheel, as shown in Fig. 3, and a particular letter-key, D, beingdepressed, the key causes the corresponding slide- 0, when beneath thecylinder, to

IIO

move outward beneath the strip below and s opposite the correspondingtype of the type- .wheel just previous to the end of the slide as. thetooth .of the wheel J passes the end of the dog I, the latter falls, andthe slide is immediately forced back within the cylinder.

The next slide which is projected operates in like manner, and so on,repeatedly. It will be noted that the strip is clamped and held betweenthe type and slide, and that, as they move forward in concentric orparallel paths, they serve to carry the strip forward preparatory to theindentation or impression of the next letter, the type and slides thusarranged serving as a feeding mechanism, and dispensing with the specialdevices ordinarily used in machines of this class for that purpose. Itwill also be noted that as the type and the pressure slides move forwardtogether, and without changing their relative positions, a square,direct, and positive pressure is ob tained'upon the strip 5 that theparts have no tendency to make the impression deeper on one side than onthe other, as would be the case were the pressure to be applied by meansof surfaces revolving about different centers.

In order that the cylinder, the type-wheel, and the pressure orcam-wheel may move in perfect accord, a gear-wheel, L, is secured uponthe cylinder and arranged to engage with a corresponding wheel, M,secured to the side of the pressure or cam wheel.

In order to apply a gradual and powerful pressure to force the stripupon the type, and at the same time to secure an easy action of themachine, the teeth 6 of the pressurewheel are beveled or inclined for aportion of their length, as shown in detail in Fig. 6, so that they actwith a wedge-like or cam action to force the dog and slide upward. Thelength of time for -which the slide is forced up against the strip inprinting each letter depends upon the circumferential length of the faceof the corresponding teeth of the pressure wheel J. These teeth are madeof a length corresponding to the width of the corresponding letter, thewide letters being printed by means of correspondingly-wide teeth on thepressure plate. This variation of the width of the pressure teeth admitsof the teeth which caused the impression of the wide letters being givena longer and more gradual inclination than those which print the narrowletters, and consequently the machine is enabled to apply the heavypressure required for the indentation of the wide letters with the samecase and smoothness that it causes the indentation of narrow letters.

In order to properly hold and guide the strip being printed, and preventit from being accidentally moved during the intervals between theimpressions, I pass the strip over the surface of the fixed plate 0,before referred to, and apply thereto aspring-guide, N, (such as clearlyrepresented in Figs. 3, 7, and 8,) the guide consisting of a flatelastic finger fastened at one end and extended beneath the face of thetype-wheel, being cut away at the At one edge the guide is provided witha depending lip, 12, in position to be acted upon by each of the slidesG, as the latter is elevated to cause the printing operation, as clearlyrepresented in Fig. 7. Immediately previous to the commencement of theprinting action, as the slide 0 is elevated to clamp the paper againstthe type, the end of the slide, acting upon the lip b, lifts the springN from the paper strip, releasing the latter previous to the impression,and retains it in this position until after the completion of theimpression, thus releasing the strip and permitting the same to moveforward with freedom. The instant, however, that the slide passes thelip b the springguide immediately falls and retains the strip inposition, so as to prevent it from being moved until the next type andslide come into action thereon.

In order to force the strip, after the indentation of each charactertherein, squarely and directly off from the type without danger ofmarring or injuring the matrix, and also to prevent the strip fromaccidentally feeding too far, I mount around and at each side of thetype-wheel, or of each line of type, a loose ring, 0, capable of aslight radial movement, and above the wheel I mount a fixed spring, P,which bears upon and forces said ring downward. As each slide is forcedupward to cause an impression or indentation, it acts upon the rings andforces them upward, in order that the strips may pass freely upon thetype; but as the slide falls the rings, relieved from their action, areforced downward by the spring P and caused to force the strip squarelyoff from the type. As before stated, the type-wheel is provided withseveral lines or series of characters of different styles, and mademovable in the direction of its axis, in order that one or another ofthese series may be brought into action. To secure the proper action ofthese different type it is necessary that there shall be a'correspondingnumber of pressure-wheels, or a corresponding series of projections uponthe one pressure-wheel, as represented in the drawings. It is to beunderstood that for each type or character upon the type-wheel a toothor projection of corresponding form and length is provided upon the camor pressure wheel.

As each series of type is brought into action, it is necessary that thecorresponding series of cams upon the type-wheel shall also be broughtinto action. It is therefore necessary that the pressure-wheel shallhave a lateral movement corresponding with that of the type wheel, andthat it shall be shifted in unison therewith. This .may be accomplishedby appliances of any suitable character. In the presentinstance, thearrangement for shifting the type and pressure wheels simultaneously isconstructed as follows: A spiral spring, m, applied to the axis of thetype-wheel assists to move the same to the right. The pressurewheel ismounted upon a shaft, a, movable lengthwise in its bearings, and actedupon at its inner end by a spiral spring, 0, mounted ICC IIO

in a fixed casing which tends to move the wheel to the right. A verticalrock-shaft, Q, mounted at the outer end of the machine, is provided atits lower end with an arm or lever, R, acting upon a swiveled cap orconnec tion at one end of the pressure-wheel shaft n, and also providedat its upper end with a hand-lever, s, acting upon a yoke, t, whichbears loosely against the outer end of the typewheel. The rock-shaft Qcauses the two levers, R and s, to move in unison. so that upon movingthe hand-lever to the left the type-wheel and pressure-wheel are movedto the left, and that upon moving the hand-lever to the right thetype-wheel and pressure-wheel aremoved, under the action of the springs,to the right. In this manner it will be perceived that the type andpressure wheels may be moved instantly, and the machine adjusted toprint one or another style of characters, as may be required. While thebest results are secured when the pressure device or dog I is usedbetween the sliding bars, and while there are several advantagesconsequent upon this use of the dog, it may be dispensed with and thepressure or feed wheel arranged to act directly upon the slides to forcethem toward the type.

The details of construction shown in the drawings are considered thebest that can be employed; but the machine may be varied in many minorpoints without changing the principle of action or departing fromt-helimits of my invention.

I believe myself to be the first to construct a printing or indentingmachine in which the type and the devices which sustain the paperor-othcr material against the pressure or impression of the type advancein concentric rotary paths.

I believe myself, also, to be the first to combine a wheel the teeth ofwhich have concentric extremities, but are of different lengths on thecircumference, with aprinting or indenting machine, so that the wheelcauses the printing or indenting action of the type.

The above features I claim, broadly, and irrespective of the peculiarform, size, or arrangement of the minor parts or details.

I am aware that a rotary cylinder havinglongitudinally-sliding rodstherein has been com bined with a cam to retract the slides; but the camwas arranged at the rear end of the cylinder, instead of at the frontasiu my machine,

and necessitated the prolongation of the rods and grooves the entirelength of the cylinder, and also necessitated the construction of theslides with oblique cam-grooves therein or studs thereon-a constructionwhich rendered the cost much greater than under the plan represented byme, and also increased materially the friction and the power required tooperate the machine. Under my construction each slide and grooverequires to be extended only to its key, the necessity of using thegrooves or studs in the slides is avoided, and the cam is made to servethe additional purpose of a paper support, if desired.

I am also aware that a rotary cylinder has been provided withlongitudinal slides arranged to project movable type therefrom. Ibelieve myself to be the first to combine, with v a wheel having typefixed peripherally thereon or therein, a series of slides revolving inunison with the wheel and arranged to be protruded beyond or oppositethe faces of the respective type. V

The-present invention is restricted to those matters and things whichare hereinafter claimed; and as to all matters which may be described orshown but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to make the samethe sub ject of a separate application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combinationof a type-wheel provided with fixed peripheral type, a cylinderconcentric therewith, and a series of longitudinal sliding rods mount-edin said cylinder and arranged to be extended endwise therefrom oppositethe respective type.

2. The combination, substantially as de scribed and shown, of a rotarytype-wheel, rotary presser devices to sustain the paper against thetype, and supporting and operating means, substantially as described, tocarry the presser devices, during their action, in a path parallel withthat of the type.

- 3. The combination of a rotary wheel and.

type sustained by said wheel and facing radially, a presser deviceopposed to the face of the type, and. operating mechanism, substantiallyas described, which permits the type and presser devices to move inparallel eoncentric paths.

4. The combination of a rotary wheel pro vided with fixed type, a rotarycylinder or carrier concentric with and rotating in unison with thewheel, radially-movable presser devices, substantially as described,carried by the cylinder and opposed to the faces of the type, and means,substantially as described, for forcing the presser devices toward thetype during the rotary motion, whereby the presser devices are caused toadvance with the type while holding the paper thereon.

5. In eombinati on with mechanism, substantially as described, forsupporting and operating the same, a rotary wheel having fixed type, andpresser devices, substantially as described, opposite to the faces ofthe type, and having both a rotating movement about the axis of thewheel and a movement to and from the faces of the type during suchrotation.

6. In combination with the rotary cylinder, the slides arranged toprotrude endwise therefrom, the keys operating directly on the slides toproject the same, and the cam-plate located at the front of thecylinder, and acting to push the slides inward.

7. The combination of the type-wheel and the cylinder provided with theendwise-moving slides, and a toothed pressure-wheel a1: ranged toforcethe slides upon the type, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the type-wheel, the cylinder 13, the sliding andradially-moving rods, the dog I, and the toothed wheel J.

9. In a printing or indenting machine, the combination of the rotarytype-wheel, one or more encircling rings, 0, and a spring arranged toact upon the rings, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In combination with the type-wheel provided with fixed type, thecylinder B, slides O, and pressure devices arranged to act upon saidslides, the pressure device N, and a device, substantially as shown,arranged to raise said pressure device from the strip previous to eachimpression or indentation.

11. In combination with thetypc-wheel and an intermediate pressuredevice, substantially as shown, a pressurewheel, J, having teeth 0,inclined or beveled, substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. In combination with the wheel having fixed type, a cylinderconcentric therewith, and slides mounted in the cylinder, and eachcapable of.moving both endwise and radially in relation to the cylinder,in order to operate in conjunction with the faces of the type,substantially as described and shown. I

13. The combination, in a printing or indenting machine, of animpression device acting upon or against the type, and a wheel tooperate said device provided with teeth having concentric extremities,but of different lengths on the circumference.

14. In combination with a wheel provided with a series of fixed type,means, substantially as described, for sustaining the paper against thetype, and a pressure-wheel, to cause the impression, having teeth withconcentric extremities, but of varying length on the circumference.

15. The combined pressure and feed wheel having the teeth withconcentric ends, but of varying widths and inclinations on thecircumference.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER.

Witnesses:

JULIEN P. FRIEZ, CHARLES W. LETSOH.

